Younger players aiming to impress

Published 5:53 pm, Saturday, August 10, 2013

Wide receiver Marlon Moorewishes he could have played more than eight snaps Thursday night.

On the bright side, those snaps came on the 49ers' first drive of the game.

"It does feel good, man," Moore said.

For the undrafted free agent with 12 catches in three seasons for the Dolphins, those game-opening snaps represented a positive step in his career. After a strong opening to training camp, Moore started along with Anquan Boldinin a 10-6 loss to Denver in the preseason opener.

Moore, 25, downplayed the momentary first-string status, but did acknowledge it beats his typical backup role.

"From what I've done in the past, yeah, it's an improvement," he said. "But it's a tribute to my teammates and also the coaches, man. I give them all the glory. How they're working with me, they're letting me play my game."

Moore's catch came on his lone target. On 3rd-and-16 from Denver's 26, Colin Kaepernick was chased toward the right sideline by linebacker Von Millerand threw across his body to Moore in the middle of the field. Moore made a nifty 12-yard catch, flashing strong hands as he snagged the fastball a few inches off the ground.

Niners head coach Jim Harbaughtermed it spectacular, but what preceded the catch was also notable. Facing press coverage from Champ Bailey, Moore had to adjust his route and settled into an opening in the secondary when Kaepernick was forced to flee the pocket. Moore shook free from Bailey and made the catch in front of safety Duke Ihenacho.

Snap counts: Rookie tight end Vance McDonaldplayed 49 snaps, most of any 49ers' skill-position player, and had team highs in catches (four) and yards (66). The second-round pick from Rice also had a drop but moved well after the catch, particularly considering his 6-4, 267-pound frame.

"Tonight he had some great plays," Kaepernick said. He also "had some plays that he should have made. So, as a rookie, that is something that you kind of expect. But I think he has a bright future here."